Early instar shieldbug at dusk

Caterpillar steel toe-capped safety boots

Another pair off boots to try from Caterpillar. Not new - I've had them for over 20 years but used them very sporadically, and they haven't worn much. They were used today because the Timberland one's have got so wet internally that they are not drying out in this weather. The Caterpillar boots are safety boots and are meant to protect against spillage, and they are definitely more waterproof, as they didn't let in any water from the wet grass on their first usage. They are slightly less comfortable once you put them on, although they are fine when walking.

Timberland Ortholite Sensorfflex boot update

Now 92.7 km in, almost a month, and only a slight sign of wear on the heal. Looking good, just wish they were better at keeping out the water from wet grass. Most mornings I end up with damp feet.

Eumerus

It's spring, and the Eumerus species hoverflies are out and about.

Timberland boots - first findings

Of the three boots tried so far, this is definitely the least waterproof. The grass was quite wet this morning due to overnight rain, and that was enough for dampness to start to come into the sole at the toes, and crossing a shallow ford where the water got to the top of the sole made it worse. None of the three are perfect for being waterproof, but I would have expected better from a new boot.

Timberland ortholite walking boot

The next pair to try is a pair of Timberland ortholite sensorflex walking boots. Let's see how these last - I will be keeping a tally of distance and destruction.

Another set of hiking boots for comparison

For comparison to the Mountain Warehouse boots described yesterday, the pair above have been worn over the same six month period, and used for a similar amount of distance, but are also around 30 years old, not that they have been used continuously over that time. They are unbranded (marked foreign import on the sole only), have leather uppers, and although not quite as comfortable, they have not broken - the only damage is at the end of one of the laces where the metal retainer came off. Where I purchased them and for how much is lost to the mists of time, but they were certainly nowhere near as expensive as the Mountain Warehouse ones. They are a decent, hard-wearing pair of boots, and are showing the signs of wear you would expect, with some scuffing, and a little wearing away of the sole at the rear of the boot. They will easily outlast the Mountain Warehouse boots.